BALTIMORE, Md. -
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Lady Hawks capitalized on an impressive shooting effort in route to a 95-80 win over Morgan State University (MSU) on Saturday afternoon in the Hill Field House.

UMES (11-8, 4-2 MEAC) connected on 32-of-59 (54.2 percent) from the field and 13-of-21 (61.9 percent) from downtown in the game, while limiting the Bears to just three-of-18 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc.

"I thought we shot the ball extremely well and it helped open up the entire floor for our team," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "Coming in we knew this was an important game and it was a total team effort in the win."

The first nine minutes featured several ties and lead changes, culminating with a Jasmine Sellers three-pointer to give MSU (11-8, 5-3 MEAC) a 19-16 lead.

However, UMES would respond with a pair of their own from Queenique Tyler (Ft. Washington, Md./Potomac H.S.) and Jelila Abdul-Bassit (Anchorage, Alaska/Monroe C.C.) to take a 22-19 lead with 10:14 left in the first half.

The Lady Hawks never looked back as they built up a double digit advantage and went up by as many as 15 in the first half, 45-30, on an Abdul-Bassit shot from downtown.

After leading 48-36 at the break, UMES would extend their lead back out to 15 on an April McBride (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle H.S.) free-throw. The Bears would then cut into the advantage, 55-44, on a Shalane Price lay-in, but that was the closest they would come in the second half as the Lady Hawks answered with a nine point run that was capped off by a Tiffany Reid (Philadelphia, Pa./National Christian Academy) three-pointer.

Reid, one of two Lady Hawks to have a double-double, finished with a career-high 24 points and 12 rebounds, which was one shy of tying a personal best. She connected on nine-15 from the floor and six-of-nine from beyond the arc, while adding five assists. McBride added the second double-double, finishing with 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds to go along with a new personal best, six assists. Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md./Mardela H.S.) also chipped in with 14 points.

The Bears had three players finish in double figure scoring and were led by Corin Adams and Price with 20 apiece, while Brittany Dodson added 19.

In the end, UMES outrebounded MSU, 48-32, had more assists, 19-7, but was outscored in the paint, 50-24, and had more turnovers, 20-11.

"It felt good to get this win and the team continues to improve with each game," said Batchelor. "I was really pleased with the way everyone played tonight."

UMES will return to Baltimore for a game against Coppin State University on Monday, February 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 E.T. and can be heard on WTGM-AM 960 The Team or live on the internet at www.umeshawks.com.